Abstract: An electroporation therapy apparatus method, and system is provided. The apparatus, system, and method comprise an electroporation generator (26). The electroporation generator (26) is configured to output an asymmetric balanced waveform to a medical device, and the asymmetric balanced waveform comprises a first positive phase and a first negative phase. The first positive phase comprises a first current and a first time and the first negative phase comprises a second current and a second time. The first current is greater than the second current and the second time is greater than the first time. The asymmetric balanced waveform is configured to irreversibly electroporate a target tissue.

Abstract: Electrosurgery blades including electrosurgery blade assemblies having argon beam capability. The electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive planar member having opposite planar sides and a sharp cutting tip and a conductive layer located on one or both of the opposing planar sides of the non-conductive layer. In embodiments of the electrosurgery blade assemblies having argon beam capability, the electrosurgery blade assembly includes a non-conductive tube member having a hollow tubular shaped opening and a slot where at least a portion of the conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade is positioned within the slot of the non-conductive tube member.

Abstract: A method, including performing an initial ablation of a tissue using an electrode in a probe distal end to apply a first power to the tissue, and measuring a change of temperature of the distal end while applying the first power. The method also includes estimating a thickness of the tissue in response to the measured change of temperature, and in response to the estimated thickness, computing at least one of a second power required and a time period for ablation, to complete ablation of the tissue. The method further includes performing a subsequent ablation of the tissue using the computed at least one of the second power and the time period for ablation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating pulmonary nerves extending along the main bronchi of a mammalian subject to reduce ARDS effects by advancing an ultrasound transducer into the right and subsequently left main bronchus. The ultrasound transducer emits circumferential ultrasound so as to heat a circumferential tissue volume encompassing the right and left main bronchus. The energy of <10 W acoustic for <5 sec will not be sufficient to cause tissue necrosis but sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction. This treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual pulmonary nerves.

Abstract: Electrosurgical apparatuses having bent tip applicators are provided. In one implementation, an electrosurgical apparatus includes an insulating outer tube having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. An outer tube distal housing has its proximal end coupled to the distal end of the insulating outer tube. A distal end of the outer tube distal housing extends from the insulating outer tube at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The exemplary electrosurgical apparatus further includes an electrically conducting tube disposed within the insulating outer tube and moveable along the longitudinal axis of the insulating outer tube. An electrode is coupled to a distal end of the electrically conducting tube. The exemplary electrosurgical apparatus may include a knob coupled to the insulating outer tube to effect rotation of the outer tube distal housing in 360 degrees of rotation.

Abstract: Provided is a catheter including a shaft having a distal end and a loop disposed near the distal end and configured to curl around a tissue and receive, via the shaft, energy to denervate at least a portion of the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of removing a lesion from a patient. A method of removing a lesion from a patient includes positioning wire loops of a probe device relative to the lesion. The wire loops are simultaneously rotated and expanded to cut material from the lesion. Irrigation fluid is supplied, via the probe device, to irrigate the material cut from the lesion. The supplied irrigation fluid is aspirated, via the probe device, to facilitate removal of the material cut from the lesion.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for the selective and rapid application of DC voltage to drive irreversible electroporation are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a voltage pulse generator and an electrode controller. The voltage pulse generator is configured to produce a pulsed voltage waveform. The electrode controller is configured to be operably coupled to the voltage pulse generator and a medical device including a series of electrodes. The electrode controller includes a selection module and a pulse delivery module. The selection module is configured to select a subset of electrodes from the series of electrodes. The selection module is configured identify at least one electrode as an anode and at least one electrode as a cathode. The pulse delivery module is configured to deliver an output signal associated with the pulsed voltage waveform to the subset of electrodes.

Abstract: A joint surgical system includes, a treatment tool, a high-frequency output section which outputs high-frequency energy to the treatment tool, an ultrasonic output section which outputs ultrasonic energy to the treatment tool, a measurement section which measures a temperature of the liquid, and a control section which controls the high-frequency output section to stop output of the high-frequency energy and controls the ultrasonic output section to continue output of the ultrasonic energy when a measurement temperature measured by the measurement section is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A plurality of catheter-based ablation apparatus embodiments are provided that address several areas of atrial target tissue and which feature firm and consistent ablation element to tissue contact enabling the creation of effective continuous lesions.

Abstract: Medical devices for renal nerve ablation are disclosed. An example medical device for renal nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. The device may include an expandable member coupled to the distal region, a flexible circuit assembly coupled to the expandable member, and a pressure sensor disposed along the expandable member and positioned adjacent to the flexible circuit assembly. The flexible circuit assembly may include one or more pairs of bipolar electrodes and a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for ablating bladder tissue to treat overactive bladder (OAB). The vapor delivery system includes an anchor tip configured anchor the system in the bladder while condensable vapor is delivered to target tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the target tissue of the bladder, which can include a surface sensor of the bladder responsible for creating an urge incontinence sensation. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor source that provides a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is disclosed. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle that defines a proximal end of the electrosurgical wand. The electrosurgical wand includes an elongate shaft coupled to the handle; the elongate shaft defines a suction lumen therein. The electrosurgical wand also includes an electrically insulative spacer (404) coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, whereby the spacer defines a suction channel (412) fluidly coupled to the suction lumen. The electrosurgical wand includes a first means for blocking defined by the spacer, an active electrode (402) coupled on the distal end of the spacer and a second means for blocking associated with the active electrode and in operational relationship to the first means for blocking. In the electrosurgical wand, the first means for blocking includes an annular trough (416) that fully encircles the suction channel of the spacer and the second means for blocking includes an annular wall (414).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to concentrate energy delivery in non-superficial target tissue within a trigone region of a human bladder wall to modulate bladder function.

Abstract: An end effector assembly (114) includes a first jaw member (114a) having a first tissue contact surface (122) and a second jaw member (114b) having a second tissue contact surface (122). The second jaw member (114b) is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member (114a). The tissue contact surfaces (122) may include raised steps (122b) that define an exhaust channel (124). A longitudinally extending knife slot (214) may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces (122). One or more exhaust slots (216), which may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces (122), are in communication with the knife slot (214). The exhaust channel (124) and the exhaust slots (216) direct fluid away from the jaw members (114a, 114b) to minimize thermal damage risks associated with tissue sealing.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is configured to releasably couple to the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: A fluid stream is directed toward tissue to generate a plurality of shedding clouds. The fluid stream can be scanned such that the plurality of shedding clouds arrive a different overlapping locations. Each of the plurality of shedding clouds can remove a portion of the tissue. In many embodiments, an apparatus to ablate tissue comprises a source of pressurized fluid, and a nozzle coupled to the source of pressurized fluid to release a fluid stream, in which the fluid stream generates a plurality of shedding clouds.

Abstract: A flexible catheter has an ablation electrode disposed in its distal segment. The ablation electrode a cavity formed in its external surface, a microelectrode configured to fit into the cavity, a conductive wire lead connecting the microelectrode to receiving circuitry, and an electrical shield surrounding the wire lead. A power generator is connected to the ablation electrode and the electrical shield in a generator circuit. A back patch electrode adapted to contact with the subject is connected in the generator circuit. The microelectrodes can be active while energizing the ablation electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of electrosurgical devices. In one embodiment a removable tip for use with an electrosurgical tool comprises a first tip member and a second tip member, each having a proximal end and a distal end; an actuator for moving the first and second tip members between a closed position where the distal ends of the first and second tip members are proximate one another, and an open position where the distal ends of the first and second tip members are separated by a distance from one another, wherein the actuator includes a first actuating member comprising a portion of the first tip member and a second actuating member comprising a portion of the second tip member; and an insertion member coupled with the proximal ends of the tip members for inserting the removable tip within an opening in the electrosurgical tool.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body is provided. The device includes an elongate, tubular shaft configured to be received within the body. The shaft has a proximal portion and a distal portion configured for movement relative to the proximal portion. A flexible member having a predetermined stiffness is disposed between the proximal and distal portions. A plurality of coils are disposed within the shaft with one or more of the coils configured for movement with the distal portion. Electromagnetic fields generated from within or outside of the medical device induce currents in the coils from which movement of the distal portion in response to contact of the distal portion with the tissue may be determined. In one embodiment, several of the coils are connected in series to reduce the space required in the device for conductors.